ARS Counsel Celebrates Black History and Black Futures

Black History Month is a time to honor those who have made leaps and bounds for our community. 

Black History Month isn’t only about looking to our past, but it’s also a time to plan for and invest in our collective future. In the spirit of celebrating Black history and Black futures, we want to highlight and applaud some of our clients who are transforming their respective industries in real time.

We are humbled to work with you all and excited for the future.

The Webb Family

Webb Investments is an investment firm that prioritizes a commitment to holistic community development that improves the quality and circumstances of life, value of property, and economic output. Some of their key investments include Webb Family Enterprises, CEEM Cooperative, and Parity Development. Started by Reggie and Rene Webb and run by their children - Kyle Webb, Kiana Webb and Karim Webb - Webb Investments continues to empower communities of color.

ARS Counsel serves as General Counsel to Webb Investments.

Yonnie Hagos and Ajay Relan

Hilltop Coffee + Kitchen opened in August 2018 and is part of the coffee renaissance brewing in Black communities across the country. Founded by Yonnie Hagos and Ajay Relan, Hilltop's intention was to create an inclusive space to foster community, creativity, and connection over high quality food and drink. By 2019 Issa Rae, creator and star of the hit HBO series, Insecure, partnered with the duo to open its flagship location in Downtown Inglewood. They have since opened locations in Eagle Rock and Downtown Los Angeles. 

ARS Counsel serves as General Counsel to Hilltop.

Olamide Olowe

Topicals is a skincare company transforming the way people feel about skin through effective products and mental health advocacy. Its Founder and CEO, Olamide Olowe, is the youngest Black woman to raise $10M in venture funding and - having raised $14.8M before the age of 26.

ARS Counsel serves as Intellectual Property Counsel for Topicals and has previously assisted with Capital Raising transactions.

Tejiri Akpoghene

Tejiri is a Grammy winning, multi-platinum artist, songwriter and producer. Based in Nigeria, Tejiri most recently co-produced the Future, Drake & Tems’ single “WAIT FOR U,” which reached #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 and won the Grammy for “Best Melodic Rap Performance” at this year’s awards. Congratulations, Tejiri! The song has sold over two million units to date and has been the fastest 2022 collaboration to reach RIAA platinum certification. Tejiri’s catalog also includes Tems’ “Higher,” “Looku Looku” and “Vibe Out.” 

ARS Counsel serves as Entertainment Counsel to Tejiri.

Iddris Sandu

Spatial Labs is a technology infrastructure company that is powering the next generation of the metaverse. Led by 25-year-old Iddris Sandu, the tech incubator recently raised $10M in seed funding. The round was led by Blockchain Capital and included Jay-Z's Marcy Venture Partners, Scooter Braun and Bobby Wagner.

ARS Counsel serves as Intellectual Property counsel for Spatial Labs having filed patent applications and multiple trademark applications for the tech incubator

Jairus “J Mo” Mozee

Jairus "J Mo" Mozee  is a 3x Grammy award-winning producer, multi-instrumentalist, and artist. As a teenager, he shared the stage with Prince, and after an unbelievable five-month journey playing under the Purple One’s magic and guidance, Jairus toured and wrote songs for artists including Anderson Paak, Kendrick Lamar, Janet Jackson, Lil Wayne, Nicki Minaj, Anthony Hamilton, Cee Lo, Fantasia, Robin Thicke, and Boney James. One of the most influential guitarists of our time, his songwriter/producer credits also include Eric Benet, Jill Scott, Redman, BJ the Chicago Kid, Deitrick Haddon, and Faith Evans. 

ARS Counsel serves as Entertainment Counsel to Jairus.